You have several New Year’s resolutions. At the top of your list is changing the look of your smile. Your tooth enamel is dark, dull and yellowed, and you’ve become too embarrassed to smile broadly in public. Is there an affordable and convenient way for you to brighten your teeth and feel more confident? Why not explore professional teeth whitening from your dentist in Lincoln, Dr. Louis Olberding? As a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Olberding knows how important a beautiful smile is to overall well-being. He can tell you if teeth whitening your best option for a renewed look in 2017.
Why Do Teeth Stain?
Just as hard surfaces such as concrete become stained over time, tooth enamel does, too. This hard, mineralized matrix actually is porous and easily discolored by darkly-pigmented organic materials found in the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. In fact, many things we put into our mouths have the potential for extrinsic, or surface, staining or intrinsic, or very deep, discoloration.
Common factors which contribute to dental stains are:
- Color-rich foods such as blueberries, strawberries, soy sauce, and curry
- Dark beverages such as black tea, wine, cola, sports drinks and coffee
- Cigarettes and chewing tobacco
- Various prescription antibiotics and antihistamines
- The aging process (enamel thins and reveals a yellow layer called dentin)
- Poor oral hygiene (not brushing, flossing and getting professional cleanings)
Teeth Whitening Brightens Color
For many reasons, teeth whitening from your cosmetic dentist in Lincoln works more effectively and more safely than over the counter whitening trays, rinses, strips and toothpastes. The key is professional supervision of a highly-concentrated bleaching gel that targets the organic material caught in tooth enamel.
Dr. Olberding uses an at-home whitening system that takes about a week or so of daily applications. It renders teeth a full eight to ten shades brighter using hydrogen peroxide gel.
After qualifying a patient for teeth whitening in Lincoln (no active decay or gum disease is present), Dr. Olberding provides custom-fabricated acrylic trays to be filled with the concentrated peroxide gel. The patient wears the trays at home according to the dentist’s instructions for a prescribed amount of time daily. In about week or so, the patient enjoys brilliant results–teeth several shades whiter with little to no dental sensitivity.
Better than Over-the-Counter Whitening
Dentists cite numerous problems with teeth whitening products purchased online, at drugstores and at shopping malls. For instance, the products may or may not whiten teeth stained with tobacco or other stubborn materials. Also, unsupervised products can cause tooth and gum sensitivity because of improper gel application or poorly fitting trays. Finally, at-home gel can mix with the individual’s saliva, weakening the bleaching effect. With professionally-crafted trays and specific instructions from Dr. Olberding, the whitening gel goes on correctly and works directly on tooth surfaces.
Get a Long-lasting, Beautiful Smile
Dr. Olberding’s whitening patients maintain their newly brightened smiles with occasional touch-ups, daily oral hygiene and professional cleanings every six months. Smoking cessation and limiting staining dietary choices are helpful, too.
If you wish to change to your smile aesthetics this New Year, contact Olberding Dental to arrange a cosmetic dentistry consultation. Check this item off your list of New Year’s resolutions and start smile with confidence in 2017.